Spain Surges into Position as The Second Top European Destination for International Tourists

The success of the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelonaconnected residential area, as opposed to renting a
was the catalyst for prompting a new generation ofroom in a hotel or hostel.
interest in Spain as The next big EuropeanVisitors are now, more than ever seeing apartment
destination.rental as a more affordable and flexible alternative to
Its not hard to see why: with its close proximity tohotel accommodation, listing advantages such as
the UK and other popular countries in Westernadded privacy, independance, freedom to prepare
Europe like France and Italy, with a good mix of newtheir own meals, and come and go at whatever hour
and improving infrastructure, a fair share of wellof the day or night they please.
preserved ancient relics from bygone eras, not toAffordability is also a huge factor. An apartment in
mention a reputation for more than 300 days ofBarcelona shared amongst a family or group of four
sunshine a year, Spain has something to offer everypeople, for example, can cut the nightly cost of
kind of tourist.accomodation in half, compared to local hotel prices.
Since the games, and especially during the past fiveThis has brought excellent stability to the apartment
years, the country has continued to enjoy a rapidrental business, and in turn, the opportunity for
growth in tourist numbers, strengthening its publicaggressive expansion.
profile as a leading European destination for travellersGaizka Pujana, owner of a sucessful holiday
from all over the world.apartment rental business in Spain started out small in
According to the report The Balance of Tourism inBarcelona with just one apartment in 2003. Since
Spain, published by The Spanish Ministry of Industry,then, he has aquired a portfolio of fifteen apartments
Tourism and Commerce, Spain was host to almostin Barcelona and has recently expanded into Madrid,
350 million visitors in 2006, an increase of 5% fromSeville and the Costa Del Sol. Pujana attributes his
the last year's statistics, and comfortably placing thesuccess to steady and growing business.
country as the second top destination forHe says Spain is a beautiful country. The people are
international travellers within Europe, second only tofriendly, the culture is rich and the sun is shining. Its
France.not hard to see why this country is heading towards
Of course, an increase in tourist numbers spells anthe number one tourist destination in Europe.
increase in tourist dollars spent, offering SpanishAlong with small business success, further
businesses in the tourism industry a fantastic growthopportunities and challenges arise for local and
opportunity that looks set to continue in years toregional authorities, who bear the responsibility of
come.expanding and maintaining the infrastructure
As well as a general growth in tourist numbers, thenecessary to receive so many visitors.
industry has also noticed a shift in accommodationBut the numbers say it all, and visitors keep coming
preferences. It seems that today's tourists areback year after year, to enjoy a taste of the
becoming more interested in renting a privateSpanish sun and lifestyle.
apartment, away from other tourists and in a well